February 2022 – the first time Dawn had been allowed to visit her gravely ill hubbie Mark in hospital for over 2 months.
An infection in the heart left Dawn Hollingsworth’s husband Mark withered, weak and close to death. But during six harrowing months, neither forgot their dream of one day returning to the South West Coast Path – a wish that’s now become reality.
‘My husband Mark and I chose to retire early and begin the epic challenge of walking the South West Coast Path (SWCP). In June 2021 we began our SWCP journey from Minehead filled with trepidation and excitement! We travelled down to the path each month until October, by which point we’d covered 260 miles of it, and we were hooked!
But in November Mark began feeling more and more exhausted, and a few weeks later he suddenly had difficulty breathing and was rushed to hospital. He had a life threatening condition called infective endocarditis (an infection that settles in the heart).
““The surgeon confirmed he was only a couple of hours away from death””
June 2021 – before the diagnosis, celebrating after having just achieved Hangman Hill on the South West Coast Path.
He was in hospital for three months, lost almost three stone, and had open heart surgery. Five days after his surgery, he became critically ill and was rushed back into theatre. He’d suffered a very rare complication from the initial surgery and his cavity needed to be cleared of masses of blood clots. The surgeon confirmed he was only a couple of hours away from death.
Due to Covid restrictions, I wasn’t allowed to visit Mark for the majority of the three months he was in hospital. I was home alone with my thoughts; some of which were very dark and frightening. But #walk1000miles helped by giving me something to focus on. Every day I took off from my front door and walked amongst nature. I gave myself one rule – for the first 20 minutes I would only allow myself to think about the things I could see, hear and smell. These walks saved my sanity by putting my thoughts into clearer, manageable chunks. There was no therapy better than walking.
Mark returned home in February a shadow of his former self. He was so very thin and weak. He was unable to put his own socks on. When he was very ill we’d recall a time we were struggling on the SWCP – the hill was so very high and steep, and we stopped for a while ready to admit defeat. But then we remembered that just because something is difficult, that’s no reason to quit.
Mark started recording his miles on 1st March, as he aimed to get fit enough for the path. He walked daily during his 12-week rehabilitation, starting with a two-minute walk and building up to 10 miles a day. He didn’t always want to, as he felt more tired some days, but knew he needed to, so he continued. He never lost the dream of wanting to return to the SWCP.
Fast forward to June 2022, and with the blessing of his medical team, we returned to the wonderful SWCP, covering Clovelly to Crackington Haven in four days. Being able to return to the path after six months of darkness gave us both emotions which are impossible to describe. At one point we rested on a bench overlooking the wild sea amongst the wildflowers, listening to birdsong and the crashing waves. Mark looked at me and declared there was nowhere on Earth he’d rather be, and how good it was to be alive!
For us, this has never just been a walk. It’s a yearning to not only live, but to be and feel alive.
Mark’s surgeon said his recovery has been absolutely remarkable, mainly due to the fact he was so fit and strong before his illness. Walking has saved his life, and may it continue forever!
Joining #walk1000miles is the best thing I've ever done. I've met some lovely friends along the way. It's not a race, but definitely a lifestyle – and an excellent one at that.
Done it!
